Previously, Jackson's agent, Todd Musburger, said the 11-time NBA champion coach had no interest in coaching the Nets "at that time," an emphasis that should have garnered more attention, according to the CBSSports.com report.

There is a shared interest between Jackson and the Nets. Brooklyn plans to reach out to the veteran coach as part of its search to replace fired head man Avery Johnson, CBSSports.com reported, citing league sources.

Before accepting any offer, Jackson would want to talk over possible wrinkles in a conversation that would include roster, personnel decisions and overall compatibility between him and the franchise.

The Nets will meet with owner Mikhail Prokhorov over the next couple days to come up with a final list of candidates, according to CBSSports.com.

With Jackson already established on the list, Sporting News' Sean Deveney pointed out other possible hires for the Nets. The most realistic inclusions, according to Deveney, were Nate McMillan, Kelvin Sampson and Mike Dunleavy. Long shots Jerry Sloan, Larry Brown, Jeff Van Gundy and Rick Pitino are also in the conversation.

This isn't the first time Jackson has been on a team's short list in recent months. Jackson expected the Los Angeles Lakers to hire him as coach when they fired Mike Brown after five games. The team with which he won five of his 11 NBA titles instead decided to go with Mike D'Antoni.

There was a pervading sense the Lakers wanted to wipe clean every aspect of Jackson's time as coach, including the triangle offense, which was cited for Indiana Pacers associate head coach Brian Shaw's inability to land the Lakers job. As a former assistant to Jackson, Shaw believes in the triangle system.

On the contrary, the triangle offense would be welcome in Brooklyn. Johnson, focused more on the defensive side of things, has been called unimaginative as an offensive coach. The triangle could rid the Nets offense of isolation plays for Joe Johnson, use big man Brook Lopez's passing ability and appease star Deron Williams' problems with the offensive structure in Brooklyn.

In the meantime, P.J. Carlesimo will remain interim coach for the Nets, who fired Avery Johnson on Thursday after he got off to a 14-14 start in the Nets' first season in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center, his third with the franchise.